City workers called police about 10:30 a.m. after noticing people picking metal out of the rubble in the 700 block of SW 149 Place.

“In a disaster area, anything you take from that disaster area can be considered looting if you're not a homeowner or if you're not with the homeowner and the homeowner has given you permission to do so,” Nelson said.

Looting isn't the only crime that's popped up amid the devastation in south Oklahoma City.

A scammer has been putting “For sale” signs in the same neighborhood, looking to take advantage of people who want to purchase properties in the area.

Nelson urged potential buyers to proceed with caution in any sale, making sure to check for official records of property ownership.

Police have increased patrols to try and deter crimes in the area, Nelson said.

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Juliana Keeping is on the enterprise reporting team for The Oklahoman and NewsOK.com.
Keeping joined the staff of The Oklahoman in 2012. Prior to that time, she worked in the Chicago media at the SouthtownStar, winning a Peter Lisagor Award...